Dubai, UAE — At the heart of the Dubai AI Festival 2025, one session stood out for its human-centric approach to artificial intelligence. Titled “Harnessing the Power of AI: Connecting People, Communities, and Society,” the panel brought together leading voices across sectors to explore how intelligent technologies can serve as bridges rather than barriers.
The conversation featured:
- Thomas Pramotedhan, CEO of Presight
- Amadou Diallo, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, MEA
- Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary of the Government of Telangana
- Moderated by Dr. Anish Shivdasani of Roland Berger
Together, these leaders unpacked how AI can drive inclusive societal transformation across industries, geographies, and communities.
From Intelligence to Inclusion
Kicking off the discussion, Thomas Pramotedhan emphasized that AI’s greatest potential lies in its ability to connect the unconnected — whether that means remote populations, underserved communities, or fragmented systems. “We need to look beyond automation and optimization,” he said. “AI must become a tool for meaningful connection and empowerment.”
Pramotedhan highlighted real-world projects where AI is being used to enhance public services, healthcare access, and education equity, proving that intelligent innovation can — and should — serve a greater societal purpose.
Logistics as a Human Lifeline
Amadou Diallo brought a global supply chain perspective, sharing how DHL is integrating AI not just to streamline operations, but to strengthen humanitarian logistics. From disaster relief to vaccine delivery, AI is helping optimize response times, predict demand spikes, and allocate resources more effectively.
“Connectivity is more than infrastructure — it’s about responsiveness,” Diallo said. “AI allows us to serve people faster, smarter, and more sustainably.”
A Government’s Role in Ethical AI Deployment
Jayesh Ranjan provided a unique view from the public sector, where AI is already transforming service delivery in Telangana, India. Through AI-driven platforms, the state is digitizing citizen services, improving welfare outreach, and even combating social issues like school dropouts and healthcare inequities.
“The goal is not just digital transformation — it’s social transformation through AI,” Ranjan explained. He called for inclusive policy frameworks, emphasizing that governments must play a key role in ensuring AI is accessible, accountable, and equitable.
Shaping Smart Societies: The Road Ahead
Moderator Dr. Anish Shivdasani skillfully wove the discussion together, spotlighting how these perspectives converge around a common principle: AI must be purpose-built for people. The panel underscored that as AI technologies become more sophisticated, so must our commitment to ethical design, inclusive access, and community-driven implementation.
From urban planning to emergency response, and from personalized learning to digital inclusion, AI’s most powerful applications are those that empower and uplift.
A Standout Conversation in a Festival of Ideas
This session captured the spirit of the Dubai AI Festival — not just as a showcase for technological marvels, but as a forum for bold ideas that can shape a fairer, more connected world.
Stay tuned for more powerful sessions on Day 2 as Dubai continues to lead the global dialogue on human-centric AI innovation.
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